944 Cabrio help/advice needed
Discussion
Seen a nice-looking S2 on Ebay (here) which didn't sell last time round, even with 80 apparent watchers.
I have to say I'm quite tempted but know very little about 944's (or Porsches in general).
Seller has emailed me to say that he rates it as follows;
[quote]Out of ten (to me 10 is a new car), the bodywork is 8.5, the interior 7, the tyres arew 8, roof 8. Very few stonechips. The cambelt was last changed at 73000 miles 6/00. This service had lots done, (bill £3000). Not sure about water pump, although it is in excellent condition, and the car has been used mostly on hot days, and had no problems.[/quote]
He seems to be a small dealer with good feedback.
Could anyone give me an idea of what I should be looking out for (other than looking at all available history, service bills etc etc) if I decided to go down and have a look?
I have to say I'm quite tempted but know very little about 944's (or Porsches in general).
Seller has emailed me to say that he rates it as follows;
[quote]Out of ten (to me 10 is a new car), the bodywork is 8.5, the interior 7, the tyres arew 8, roof 8. Very few stonechips. The cambelt was last changed at 73000 miles 6/00. This service had lots done, (bill £3000). Not sure about water pump, although it is in excellent condition, and the car has been used mostly on hot days, and had no problems.[/quote]
He seems to be a small dealer with good feedback.
Could anyone give me an idea of what I should be looking out for (other than looking at all available history, service bills etc etc) if I decided to go down and have a look?
Linky 1: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=26491
Also, try the TIPEC forums (www.porsche-1.net sorry Ted, but good specific info) then COME BACK..
Be wary of the six year service gap. Belts need changing right away purely from an age perspective, pump might as well be changed. Find out what the history behind the lack of history is..
Hmm. Just looked at the Ebay ad, and this doesnt seem to tally with the info in your post. Its cheap at that price, but would heartily recommend a proper look at it by a specialist. Try Jon Mitchell Bournemouth way..
Also, try the TIPEC forums (www.porsche-1.net sorry Ted, but good specific info) then COME BACK..
Be wary of the six year service gap. Belts need changing right away purely from an age perspective, pump might as well be changed. Find out what the history behind the lack of history is..
Hmm. Just looked at the Ebay ad, and this doesnt seem to tally with the info in your post. Its cheap at that price, but would heartily recommend a proper look at it by a specialist. Try Jon Mitchell Bournemouth way..
As recommended above,get the cambelt changes asap,if you buy the car (could be a good haggling tool).Cambelt replacement is age related,as much as mileage.
Check the condition of the hood carefully- ££££ to replace.
See if the clutch has been changed at somepoint,again expensive to replace, check it's not slipping etc.
Listen for noise from the transaxle, a slight whine is fairly common,and not usually a problem. RPM related noise when your coming on/off the throttle could be the differential bearings,and another expensive job.
Check the sills and arches THOROUGHLY for rust, MOT failures from excessive corrosion in the sills is not unknown. (they can look fine externally,but be rotting from the inside)
Worth checking the brake calipers for plate lift, pretty common and can be expensive to fix,if you don't do the work youself.
Regular oil changes are essential for engine longevity.944's have linerless bores,so it's more important than most cars. Check the records.(12k with synthetic)
Find out if the cam chain tensioner has been replaced,and also the cam chain. You do not want either of these parts to fail.
Apart from that little lot,you should be good to go!
Check the condition of the hood carefully- ££££ to replace.
See if the clutch has been changed at somepoint,again expensive to replace, check it's not slipping etc.
Listen for noise from the transaxle, a slight whine is fairly common,and not usually a problem. RPM related noise when your coming on/off the throttle could be the differential bearings,and another expensive job.
Check the sills and arches THOROUGHLY for rust, MOT failures from excessive corrosion in the sills is not unknown. (they can look fine externally,but be rotting from the inside)
Worth checking the brake calipers for plate lift, pretty common and can be expensive to fix,if you don't do the work youself.
Regular oil changes are essential for engine longevity.944's have linerless bores,so it's more important than most cars. Check the records.(12k with synthetic)
Find out if the cam chain tensioner has been replaced,and also the cam chain. You do not want either of these parts to fail.
Apart from that little lot,you should be good to go!
Edited by HAB on Thursday 14th September 00:02
Had a reply from the seller to say that there was a mistake in the listing - it has now changed to omit the 18 month bit for the cambelt change. Now simply says that it was changed at 73K, so I presume the June 2000 bit is correct. Therefore it's way within the miles but is the time an issue?
It was last serviced at 82K in May 2003 - which in itself makes me a little wary as according to the ad, the car has been 'owned by an enthusiast for the last 2.5 years'. If that's the case, how come he has never had it serviced??
Really not sure whether to spend an best part of a day traipsing down to Hove and checking it out - what would you guys do????? (he has said he will take £7K for it but I guess he would budge a bit)
It was last serviced at 82K in May 2003 - which in itself makes me a little wary as according to the ad, the car has been 'owned by an enthusiast for the last 2.5 years'. If that's the case, how come he has never had it serviced??
Really not sure whether to spend an best part of a day traipsing down to Hove and checking it out - what would you guys do????? (he has said he will take £7K for it but I guess he would budge a bit)
pincher said:
Seen a nice-looking S2 on Ebay (here) which didn't sell last time round, even with 80 apparent watchers.
I have to say I'm quite tempted but know very little about 944's (or Porsches in general).
Seller has emailed me to say that he rates it as follows;
[quote]Out of ten (to me 10 is a new car), the bodywork is 8.5, the interior 7, the tyres arew 8, roof 8. Very few stonechips. The cambelt was last changed at 73000 miles 6/00. This service had lots done, (bill £3000). Not sure about water pump, although it is in excellent condition, and the car has been used mostly on hot days, and had no problems.
I have to say I'm quite tempted but know very little about 944's (or Porsches in general).
Seller has emailed me to say that he rates it as follows;
[quote]Out of ten (to me 10 is a new car), the bodywork is 8.5, the interior 7, the tyres arew 8, roof 8. Very few stonechips. The cambelt was last changed at 73000 miles 6/00. This service had lots done, (bill £3000). Not sure about water pump, although it is in excellent condition, and the car has been used mostly on hot days, and had no problems.
He seems to be a small dealer with good feedback.
Could anyone give me an idea of what I should be looking out for (other than looking at all available history, service bills etc etc) if I decided to go down and have a look?[/quote]
Im 99% certain that car was privatly for sale on this website or auto trader a few months ago in Hertfordshire, from memory the owner wanted a quick sale at £6k so he prob sold to this dealer for bout £5.5k which is why he wants £6k as a starting point!!!! Looks a nice car for the money, although the history sounds iffy and interior looks very tired
Bear in mind the cost of the interior,i had the leater recovered and it was £800.00,carpets will be at least another £200.00.Open the boot and under the carpet behind the number plate should be a factory sticker ,if its missing its had a bump.This car looks ok but i would say its going to cost you a bit with the servicing and tidying,try the porche owners club as a lot are obsessive about these kind of things
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